Mounting for character bearing members



y 15, 1952 E. 5. MIX 2,603,016

MOUNTING FOR CHARACTER BEARING MEMBERS Filed Oct. 9, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATrORA/E Y6 y 5, 1 E. 5. MIX 2,603,016

MOUNTING FOR CHARACTER BEARING MEMBERS Filed Oct. 9, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ina- 11 1 2-..15 I: 21-... 1% I: 1 5

E 6'5 '6 I 66 a5 a0 a9 TSP-1'7 TIT-1 a I: E El 3 Z3 4 l 36 INVENTOR.

FDI W/V 6. M/X

ATTORNEYS y 9 E. 5. MIX 2,603,016

MOUNTING FOR CHARACTER BEARING MEMBERS Filed Oct. 9, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J3 Ira-E5 1.52 4

I a W) 6/ 1 bk0WT2.- L0

INVENTOR. /40/11 5. MM

ATTORNEYS E. 5. MIX

MOUNTING FOR CHARACTER BEARING MEMBERS July 15, 1952 2,603,016

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 9, 1947 mm A\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\' 67 84 86 6/ 87 66 \L/ 66. E/$51301? 1F 0 W/A 6. M/X,

BY 11 5 /WQ W Patented July 15, 1952 lMOUNTING FOR CHARACTER BEARING MEMBERS Edwin S..Mix,. Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Hickok Manufacturing Co.1nc., Rochester, N. Y., a. corporationoiNew'Iork Application-October 9, 1947,5-(31'151 No. 77 8, 917

SCJaims. :1

invention relates to improvements tin mountings for attaching character, legend or ornament bearing elements to various articles of merchandise including jewelry.

object of the invention is 'to provide :an improved mounting of simple construction that will enable the easy assembly of a character bearing element or a plurality of such elements on a supporting member or holder and securely hold the same thereon.

Another object or the invention is to provide an improved mounting for character bearing elements which "when the character bearing elements are mounted on the support member or holder, the holding means will be completely conceale'd "from view from the front thereofthereby materially enhancing the display of characters, initials orthe like.

Another object or the invention is to provide an f-im-proved mounting enabling the ready as- "and with di'fierent forms of locking means on the support member.

The improved mounting is adapted to be used with support members or holders of bartermation that have "an attaching portion extending -from 'therear side at one end of the same, and 'a particularly important novel characteristic of the invention resides in the special construction of character bearing member in the form of "a hat 'sl'eeve or tubular base portion with a recess in the back wall of the'same at one end thereof which facilitates easy assembly of the character bearing members on the support member with one end or the back "wall of its base portion fitting against "the attaching portion of the holder bar "and so that the holder bar is completely concealed from view from the .front .side of the character bearing member or members. .In other instances-where therearwardly extendingiattaching portion on asupport member of bar .form is located intermediate the endg of the same, the particular construction of character bearing member with the recess in the back wall of the tubular base thereof, provides .for easily slipping a character member on the supporting hart-rem either end thereof with one end-of thel 2 back wall of the base portion of each character member .fittingagainst the rearwardly extending attaching portion and with the base portions thereof in close end to end relationship to completely conceal the supporting bar from the fi'ont of the assembled character bearing members.

Another important advantage "of the particular construction of character member isthat i-trcan be used interchangeably with support members of either bar or plate vform and with dififerent forms of holding means employed respectively therewith.

Another important novel feature of the invention lies in the special means provided for locking the character bearing elementson the support member.

The invention, with other objects, advantages and novel features thereof, and the particular construction, combinations and arrangements of parts comprising the same will be understood from the hereinafter contained detailed description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof and illustrating a number of embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is atop plan view of a bar type tie holder having character bearin members mounted thereon in accordance with the present invention;

ca sideelevation of "thesame iFig. 3.is a bottomplan view;

lFig. dis a longitudinal section on the line 4 -4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 .is a transverse section on the line 5-5 cfFigAi;

Fig. 6 is a detail top plan view, on an enlarged scale, or one of the character bearing members;

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the character bearing member-shown inFig. 6

Fig. 8 is an end elevation, on a smaller scale, of one of the character bearing elements;

Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of one ofthe character 'bearingmembers;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of a slightly modified form of the locking means shownin Fig. A; c

Fig. 11 isa side elevation of a cuff link having a single initial bearing member attached thereto;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. .11;

Fig. 13 is an elevation of one end of the construction shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. .14 .is an elevation of "the other 'end of the construction shown in Fig. 11; .j

Fig. is a transv rse section on the line 15-55 of Fig. 1'7;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on the lB-I6 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on the I1--l1 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17 but with the initial bearing member in an intermediate position on the holder bar;

Fig. 19 is a detail perspective view of the rear side of the support bar;

Fig. 20 is a detail perspective view of the initial bearing member taken from the rear side thereof;

Fig. 21 is a side elevation of a cuff lint: having two initial members attached thereto;

Fig. 22 is a central longitudinal sectional View of the construction shown in Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a section taken on the line 2323 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a detail perspective view of the holder or retainer bar looking from the rear side thereof Fig. 25 is a side elevation of a tie holder of the extension type;

Fig. 26 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a sectional view on the line 27-25? of Fig. 25;

Fig. 28 is a top plan View of the construction shown in Fig. 25 without the initial bearing elements;

Fig. 29 is a sectional view taken on the line 29 -29 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 29 without the initial bearing members;

Fig. 30A is a transverse section on the line 30-30 of Fig. 30;

Fig. 31 is a top plan view of a buckle provided with initial bearing members in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 32 is a bottom plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 31;

'Fig. 33 is a section on the line 3333 of Fig. 31;

Fig. 34 is a view similar to Fig. 33 but with the supporting tongues bent outwardly from the face of the buckle;

Fig. 35 is a transverse section on the line 35-35 of Fig. 31;

Fig. 36 and Fig. 37 are respectively a detail top plan view and side elevation of the locking strip;

Fig. 38 is a top plan view of an initial holder for key chains;

Fig. 39 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 38 without the initial bearing members;

Fig. 40 is a transverse section on the line 40-40 of Fig. 39;

Fig. 41 is a similar view with one of the locking inserts in an intermediate position;

Fig. 42 is a detail top plan view of one of the locking inserts;

Fig. 43 is a top plan view of a slightly rhodified form of locking insert;

Fig. 44 is a top plan view of a buckle having attached thereto two initial bearing members by another modified form of holding means;

Fig. 45'is a section on the line 45i5 of 44;

Fig. 46 is an end elevation with parts shown in section of the construction shown in Fig. 44;

Fig. 47 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 44 without the initial bearing member;

line

line

Fig. 48 is a detail perspective view of one of the holder members in the modified construction illustrated in 44.

While a number of embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that minor changes and modifications may be made in the particular constructions shown and the invention may be embodied in still other forms as will appeal to those skilled in the art and falling within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to a detail description of the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in l to 9 inclusive, the tie holder shown comprises a rigid substantially fiat rectangular shaped front bar 5 having an attaching portion comprising a short straight part 2 extending rearwardly from the rear side of the front bar at one end thereof at substantially a right angle thereto and a part 2 extending reversely from the outer end of the part 2 in back of and in spaced relation with the rear face of the front bar l, the attaching portion as shown in Fig. 3 being of less width than the width of the front bar, and the part 2 being joined to the front bar intermediate the sides thereof. To the outer end of the part 2 is pivotally connected a spring pressed clasp member 3. Secured in a recess in the rear face of the bar at the outer end thereof by spot welding or by rivets 6, as shown, is a locking plate 5 constructed of spring metal and having a locking finger 6 extending outwardly therefrom. The bar I has perforations i at intervals along the same, the perforating of the bar serving to lighten the same, and the perforation opposite the spring locking finger (3 providing a space through which the locking finger may be actuated. Supported on the front bar I are a plurality of character bearing members each in the form of a flat elongated generally rectangular shaped sleeve or tubular base portion 3 and a character 9 on the front face thereof. In the present instance, the characters 9 are shown as initial letters. The interior of the flat sleeve or tubular base portion 8 of each of these character bearing members in cross section is rectangular shaped and of a size comparable to that of the cross sectional shape and size of the bar I to slidably it on the front bar I so that the latter forms a firm support for the character bearing members when mounted thereon. The back wall it of the tubular base portion 8 of each of the character bearing members is provided with a recess H at each end thereof intermediate its sides adapted to receive therein an inner part of the rearwardly extending attaching portion 2 of the front bar I so that the character bearing members can be arranged in end. to end relation on the front bar as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings with one end of the back wall If! of the tubular base portion 8 of the innermost character bearing member on the front bar fitting against the attaching portion 2 and with the adjacent end portion of the front wall of the tubular base overlying the front face of the adjacent end portion of the front bar I and with its end face extending substantially flush with the adjacent end face of the front bar, the front bar being completely concealed from view from the front of the assembled character bearings members. The back wall I8 of the tubular base portion of each of the character bearing members is provided with an aperture [2, one end wall I3 of which forms a locking shoulder or notch to cooperate with the look- Zing-Zinger :on theback .orthe bar :J to

lock the character bearing anem'bers ithereon ias shown in 4 of the drawings. The aperture t2 Linsaddition to "forming a locking :notch or 'iengage the outermost of the :characterhearlng members nn the supporting hat; a locking plate substantially the length of the .iront hams prothe same having .a plurality :of looking fingers, one for each of the character bearing :memhers, providing :for -the individual locking of the same. In this view 2M designates the iront :bar of the tie -ho-lder having a rearwardly extending attaching portion 15 iat-one end thereof and .156 i :a .clasp member pivotally connected to the outer end of the attachingtportion .15. .i 1

designates the :spring locking plate s'suitably secured -:in a recess in the back wall of the front bar .14 and having equally spaced-along the same three locking fingers l8, each adapted to cooperate with the :shoulderjor notch formed by the edge wall i3 of the'aperture .in' the back wall As shown in Fig. 10 each of the spring fingers 4'8 is disposed cppostte one of theperferations H] .in the front bar 14.. V

The particular mounting hereinbefore "defor-easily assembling the character bearing memhers on the holder bar and securely locking the same thereon, the character hearingmembers being applied simply by slipping the same onto the front bar. :Provision 'ismade for readily *re- -.leasing the character bearing members so that the :same may .be rearranged or -:ot'hers substituted in case change of selection .is made or error in composing the desired monogram arrangement, land when "the character bearing members are assembled on "the holder bar, the

holder bar is eonnoletely concealed from -View from the ef-ront of the assembled character hearing members, the general appearance In the disinlay of initials being thus enhanced.

jThecharacter'bearing'memhers:arepreierailily formed by die casting as this enables the development otdesigns with depth to produce third dimenslonal efiects. "hearing members may also be manufactured However, the character from sheet metal, this latter method-enabling theme of fflat, embossed, enameled, or perforated effects on the face thereof.

In Figs. 11 to 20 is illustrated a cuiilinltprovli-d'ed with a single character bearing "member.

Thecuff link structure shown comprises a front;

retaining "bar 20' having a rearwardly ex-tending attaching portion 2| extending from one end thereof and from which extends a shank 22 :having a U-shaped part :23 between'the outer 1. ends of which :is'pivotally connected :a retaining member '24 of conventional .form.

- initial mounting shown in these "views is substantially the same in construction as that .flaereinbefcre described and .1 to 110,, except that "only :a single-character been H] of :one of the character bearing ;-members. 1

scribed, :is simple in construction. It provides 16 1mg inemberisiemployed. :Suitamysecured in 1a 'Iecess .iin'sthezrear iacezo'f the front fiber .20 :a

spring locking plate 25 having a locking Zfinger .ifipprejecting rou'twardla; therefrom. .27! desigena'tes thezbase portion of the character bearing enember'andfzfi an initial rm the front race therebase portion 21 11s iorm'ed tubularfiito slidably :fit upon the front retaining bar .1211, and the back wall 29 of the tubular base portion. is prolvid'ed :at wire end with -:a recess '30 itorreceiv'e the upper part of the :rearwardly extending oti tazchinggportion $2 so that the"'character hearing emembier can. be positioned on *the front with one rend of its neck wall on fitting against the ..attachn1g portion the adjacent frontnf the tubular :hase :portion 2.! aoverathe adiacent the 1.0,- the ..-latter, as shown .12 of the .dravmigs, beingnducealed irom "View :from theiztront 'whenithe character hearing :unemher :is positioned thereon. '31 designates -the aperture .iin the man-1s of the tubular base .:'portion of "the "character :beerin-girmember. recesszasfin the constructinn ahereinbefore described'provides tin-edge wall 32 forming a locking shoulder for notchto cooperate with the spring docking "fingerzzfi-nn the hack -1of?the'i?ront bar .21].

its will he appreciated, while in the single initial link just riescribed, the back wall '29 of :the base portion of the initial hearing 'member is shown with a recess 3fljnxonly zoneiiend thereof, it could have a similar :recess in its other end as the initial member employed' in the necktie .holder illustrated 1 *to the latter construction :of :initialeheari-ng memiber L'being iadapted to be employed 'i'interohemge- :ably the "two devices. I

' LIn .IFigs. 211:0 24, is shown a two-initial cuff link. construction comprises :a retaining ibar -having a stud or shank =34 ex- .33 "at either side of the stud or shank 34' are formed tubular tc :s'lidahly fiton the ifrontre lta'i-ning ':bar 33, the character bearing members being 'slipped onto thez'front bar '33 :from oppo-- site'ends thereof. "The back'wall '41 ="ofthetubular base portion of each of the character bearing :men'ibe'rs is "provided at each end thereof with a recess 42 to partially receive'therein the upper part of the stud, or shank 1321 as shown tin-figs. 22 zendz23,'when the character bearing members are positioned on the :front bar 33, the adjacent ends ofrthe tbase portions of the character :b'earringizmembers fitting close together rand-extending over the central part of the "front :bar33 so that the front bar is completely concealed from view from the :front of the assembled character hearing members. The back "wall 4 of the tubular :base portion of each of the character hearing members :is provided with an aperture 43, one end edge 41% of which forms a lccking'eshoulder or notch oo-net with one of the spring locking fingersv 88 as in the constructions hereinbefore described. As will be understood, as the tubular base portions 39 of the character bearing members are slipped onto the front retaining jbar 33, the locking fingers 38 will engage-the ly directed arms 41, which are constructed of wire and are of general U-shaped form, each having one leg portion 48 thereof slidably engaging a longitudinally extending tubular box like bearing 49 on the front of the supporting bar 45, the other leg portions 50 of the arms 41 being disposed forwardly of and in spaced relation with said box like bearing 49. Each forward leg portion 50 of the arms 41 is bent to rectangular shape and terminates in a locking finger extending longitudinally between the sides thereof, the free end portion of the wire of the locking finger being flattened to spatulate shape, as shown. I

The rectangular shaped forward leg portions 50 are each adapted to support thereon an initial bearing character of the same construction, as that previously described. In these views, 52 designates the tubular base portion of the initial members and 53 the initials thereon, the back wall 54 of the tubular base portion of each initial member having a recess 55 in each end thereof, and the back wall also being provided with an aperture 56. The rectangular shaped forward leg portions 50 of the tie embracing arms are of a size to permit the tubular base portions of the initial members to slidably fit thereon. As shown in Figs. 27 and 28, when the character beairng members are positioned on the rectangular shaped portions 50, the recess 55 in the back wall 54 of each of the initial members receives therein the outer end portion of one of the intermediate portions of the U-shaped tie holding arms 41, so that the front wall of the tubularbase portion extends over the adjacent end portion of the rectangular shaped portion'50, the rectangular shaped portions 50 being completely concealed from view from the front of the initial members. As will be understood, when the tubular base portions of the initial bearing members are slipped to position on the rectangular shaped portions 50, the locking fingers 5| will engage with the locking shoulders or notches formed by end walls 51 of the apertures 56 to lock the initial members on the rectangular shaped forward leg portions 50.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 31 to 37, the invention is shown applied to a flat surface product or support member of plate form. In the construction shown in these views, 58 designates a plate, which in this instance forms part of a belt buckle of the box type. The plate 58 is slotted, as shown, to provide two 01')- positely disposed rectangular shaped tongues 59 bent to extend outwardly therefrom and each adapted to support a character bearing member of the construction previously described herein, comprising a tubular base portion 60 with an initial letter 6] thereon. The back wall 62 of the tubular base portion of each of the character bearing-members is as shown provided with a recess 63 ineach' end thereof. The tubular base portions 60 of the character bearing members are adapted to slidably fit on the tongues 59 and are slipped on the same as shown in Fig. 34 of the drawings. The tongues 59- with the character bearing members thereon are then bent inwardly to extend in the plane of the supporting plate 58 as illustrated in Fig. 33. A look member 64 in the form of a thin spring strip is then inserted into the tubular base portions-6D of both of these characterbearing members at the under side of the supporting tongues 59, the locking member serving to maintain the tongues 59 in alignment and the character bearing members being securely locked in assembled position. As shown in the drawings in Fig. 31, when the initial bearing members are assembled on the plate 58 the holding means for the same is entirely concealed from view from the front thereof.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 38 to 42 is another example of the application of the invention to a support of plate form, where it is not feasible or practical to slip the tubular base portions of the character bearing members on the holder member as in the bar form of holder. '65 designates the supporting plate, which in this instance forms part of a key chain, the same having an eye 66 at each side thereof connected with a link of the key chain 51. Two character bearing elements are mounted side by side on the supporting plate 65, the character members being of the same construction hereinbefore described, each comprising a tubular base portion 68 with an initial 69 on the front thereof, the back wall 'lfl of the base portion of each character bearing member having a recess 1! in each end thereof and also having an aperture 12. The character bearin members are attached to the supporting plate 65 by a pair of U-shaped clip members 13, one leg portion of each clip member comprising two parallel tongue por tions 14 each having a spring locking finger I5 projecting outwardly therefrom. The locking members 1'3 are applied as shown in Figs. 40 and 41 with each one of their tongue portions 14 inserted into the tubular base portion 68 of one of the character bearing members from one end thereof to fit against the back wall 70 of the same with its locking finger 15 engaging an end wall 15 of the aperture 12, the intermediate portion 11 of the clip fitting against the adjacent side edges of the back wall 10 of the base portion and the supporting plate 65, and with the rear leg portion 18 of the clip fitting against the back of the supporting plate. As Will be understood, the character bearing members will be securely held on the supporting plate, the latter and the clip members 13 being entirely concealed from view from the front of the character bearing members.

The modified form of attaching clip illustrated in Fig. 43 is the same as that shown in Figs. 40, 41 and 42 except that it has only a single tongue 19 to engage over the back wall 10 of the character bearing member. designates the looking finger on the tongue 13.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figsz44 to 48, is still another exemplification of the attachment of character bearing members of the construction hereinbefore described, to a supporting member of plate form. The construction shown comprises a supporting plate 8| which is part of a belt buckle. Two character bearing members are shown attached to the supporting ana ram:

plate,. each of the. same? having a tubular base; portion. 82% with aninitial: 83:1:hereon; wall 8d; of the tubular base portioniofa'each of ihe: character bearing. members. is. provided: with: a: recess 8.5: ineach endthereoi- Disposedisideby side ontheupper. face of the supporting plate 8| are a pair: of: spring. plate; members 815., the-same being securedintermediate. their endsingamr suit;- ably way, as. by: rivets-.8511 tothe. supportingrplata and. each having opposite. end: portions thereof. bent to form outwardly projecting lockingifingerss 88,. the. distance between. the. locking: fingers. 3.85 of each spring plate member. 8%. corresponding: substantially. to the length, of. the; back: Wall. 8.4; of theztubular base portionilfi. betweenthe; IP63" ces'sesiii, whereby uponinsertion; of the-Charade ter bearing members between. the; pairs of locksing fingers $3, the latter will bezdisposed recesses: and will be placediun'der tension: men:- gagement with. the adjacent end portions of'said back wall tohold the character bearingimember: seated. on the supporting plate. Asishown'in Fig- 4.4 when the character bearing membersare: aszsembledf on they supporting plate, the holding means thereforis. entirely concealed from View: from the irontof the character bearingmembers. The character bearing members'may be removed by'inserting theblade of a pen knife or theliket into the end of the tubular base portion just above the spring finger and pulling the initial outwardly.

It will be. noted that the. particular construetion of'character bearing member hereinbeiore: set forth provides for easy assembly of thesame; on a support member, that itcan be usedinten changeably in all of the embodiments of the int-- vention hereinbefore described with support members of either bar or plate form, and all of'the embodiments, the holding means for the. character bearing member or membersi's-wholl y concealedfrom view from the front thereof.

1. A tie holder. including a supporting bar hav'-- ing'an attaching clasp portion at the rearside thereof, a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly directed tie. embracing arms on the supporting bar in the front side thereof, one of said arms being of general U. shaped form constructed of wire having its forward leg portion at its free end bent to provide a substantially rectangular shaped part terminating in a locking finger ex tending longitudinally between the sides thereof, a substantially rectangular shaped character bearing member having atubular base. portion to fit over said rectangular shaped part of said arm and having a notch in a wall thereof co.- operating with said locking finger. on said arm to lock the character bearing member on said rectangular shaped. part when the. tubular base portion'is. slipped to position on. the supporting bar. I

2. A tie holder including a. supporting bar having an attaching clasp portion at the rear side thereof, a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly directed tie embracing arms on the supporting bar in the front side thereof, one of said arms being of general U-shaped form constructed of Wire having its forward leg portion at its free end bent to provide a substantially rectangular shaped part terminating in a locking finger extending longitudinally between the sides thereof, a substantially rectangular shaped character bearing member having a tubular base portion to fit over said rectangular shaped part of said arm and having a notch in a wall thereof oorectangular shaped. part,

operating with. said; locking. said;

taloch the; character: bearing. member; on:

rectangular shaped-part when said.- base portion is slipped to. position-.011; the. supporting, ban, said:

. character; bearing; memher havin a. re s oneend of; its back wall. to reeeive thereinzahr A. cuff. includin a front: retaining: ban and a; sh ank. portion. extending; rearward-In imm: the: bask. face. thereoi substantially centrally the ends: thereof,,. a pair: of substantially tang-ular shaped. character: members, each. having a. tubular. base; p r n: to fit.- over said front. ban. the-backrwalh or the: 115:

bular basesportion.ofeaclrofith characteribeanv st m mbers haying: a recessv inoneendzthcreoii g g to; partiallyreceive; therein: said; shanletportion whereby the. two character bearing members:cam-

beslipped; onto. saidcfrontzbarfrom. opposite: ends;

thereof; and, positionemwithgtheir" aditacent: ends;- in abutting relation and-L extending? crew? c ncealing from. view the; centrai part: or? fron-tbar.

4 m a mounting: of the: class; described a elongated generally rectangular-shaped;substame tially rigid supportsmember, asnbsizantially'fiat elongated generally rectangular shaped. tubular character bearing memben'openat: each end; the: interior of. the; tubnlarcharaoterf bearing: mem her in cross section being" rectangular shaped; and of a. size comparable to; that or theacrossa sectional size of; the support; member: soa that; the. tubular character. bearing memberw-iir slide ably fit. on and; besupportedbgtha support? meme ber, the back; wall of the; tubular character hears. me... member being: provident with aznotclr. therein, anda snringafinger vom the support: member: at; the; rear side. thereof? normally? projecting rears wardly therefrom. and: movable: relating. thereto. into engagement with said: notch: when. thez tua bular character bearin member is slipped; its

position. on thesupport member-to: lock theichar Qter-bearinamemhen thereoniv In: a mounting of; the; class; described. an; elongated.generaliyrectangular shaped. substarr tial'ly ri id-i support-member; a substantially flat; elongated generally? rectangular; shaped: tubular cha-ract-er.- bearin member open; at: each: end}, the interior? of: thes. tuhrn'ar: character bearing: membenincrossisectionibehig:rectangular shaped; and; of size comparable? to: that: of thei cross sectional: SiZBIQf: the: support: member so that the? ubular characteribearing;v member: will; shdablp' fit on' and; be. supported" by the" support: members: the back wall of the tubular character bearing member being provided with an aperture therein, and a spring finger on the support member at the rear side thereof normally projecting rearwardly therefrom and movable relative thereto into engagement with a wall of said aperture when the tubular character bearing member is slipped to position on the support member to lock the character bearing member thereon, said spring finger extending over said aperture at the inner side thereof when the same is in looking engagement with said Wall of the aperture, said aperture providing for insertion of a member therein and rorcmg the spring finger inwardly outof engagement with said wall of the aperture. Ina mounting of" the .class described, an elongated generally rectangular shaped substantially rigid support member, an attaching portion extending from the rear side of the support member, the attaching portion being of less width than the width of the support member and being joined thereto intermediate the sides thereof, asubstantially flat elongated generally rectangular-shaped tubular character bearing member open at both ends, the interior of the tubular character bearing member in cross section being rectangular shaped and of'a size comparable to the cross sectional size of'thesupport member so that the tubular character bearing member willslidably fit on the support member with its interior top, bottom and side walls engaging the front, rear and side walls of the support member and the character bearing memberwill be firmly supported thereon, the back wall of the tubular character bearing member having a recess therein extending inwardly from one end thereof intermediate its sides to receive therein a portion of the'inner end part of said attaching portion whereby thexcharacter bearing member can be positioned on the support member with the inher. end wall of said recess fitting against said attaching portion and with the adjoining part of its front wall overlying and concealing from View the adjacent front face portion of the support member in front of the inner end part of the attaching portion.

7. In a mounting of the class described, an elongated generally rectangular shaped substantially rigid support member, an attaching portion extending from the rear side of the support member at one end thereof, the attaching portion being of less width than the Width of the support member and being joined thereto intermediate the. sides thereof, a substantially flat elongated generally rectangular shaped tubular character bearing member open at both ends, the interior of the tubular character bearing member in cross section being rectangular shaped and of a size comparable to the cross sectional size of the support member so that the tubular character bearing member will slidably fit on the support member with its interior top, bottom and side walls engaging the front, rear and side walls of the support member and the character bearing member will be firmly supported on the support member, the back wall of the tubular character bearing member having a recess ,thereinextending inwardly from one end thereof intermediate its sides to receive therein a portion of the inner end part of said attaching portion whereby the character bearing member can be positioned on the support member with the inner end wall of said recess fitting against said attaching portion and with the adjoining part of its front wall overlying and concealing 12 from view the adjacent front face portion of the support member in front of the inner end part of the attaching portion, and with its end'face extending substantially flush with the adjacent end face of the support member.

8. In a mounting of the class described, an elongated rectangular shaped substantially rigid supporting bar, an attaching portion extending from the rear side of the supporting bar at one end thereof, the attaching portion being of less width than the width of the supporting bar and being joined thereto intermediate the sides thereof, a plurality of substantially fiat elongated generally rectangular shaped tubular character bearing members each open at both ends, the interior of each of the tubular character bearing members in cross section being rectangular shaped and of a size comparable to the cross sectional size of the supporting bar so that the tubular character bearing members each will slidably fit on the supporting bar and be firmly supported thereon, the combined length of the character bearing members being substantially equal to the length of the supporting bar, the back wall of each of the tubular character bearing members having a recess therein extending inwardly from one end thereof intermediate its sides to receive therein a portion of the inner end part of said attaching portion whereby the character bearing members can be interchangeably positioned with reference to each other on the supporting bar in end to end relationship, with the inner end wall of the recess in one end portion of the back wall of one of the character bearing members fitting against said attaching portion and with the adjoining part of its front wall overlying the adjacent front face portion of the supporting bar in front of the inner and part of the attaching portion, and with its end face extending substantially flush with the adjacent end face of the supporting bar, the character bearing members jointly completely overlying the front face of the supporting bar and concealing the same from view from the front side of the character bearing members.

EDWIN S. MIX.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 466,344 Groenman Jan. 5, 1892 1,184,124 Pfiifner May 23, 1916 1,224,965 Schwartzman May 8, 1917 1,412,938 Halket Apr. 18, 1922 1,738,865 Buchsbaum Dec. 10, 1929 2,087,032 Henrikson July 13, 1937 2,175,305 Paris Oct. 10, 1939 2,192,883 Forstner Mar. 12, 1940 2,221,926 Quant Nov. 19, 1940 

